Members press Corps on Chickamauga Lock overruns after large cost increases
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Summary
Rep. Fleischman and other members raised the Chickamauga Lock as an example of a project that lost cost and schedule certainty after being authorized with immature engineering and experienced poor contractor performance.
Representative Fleischman told the Corps the Chickamauga Lock in Tennessee has experienced many of the patterns discussed at the hearing: cost increases, schedule slips and contracting problems. He said that in fiscal 2023 the project was roughly $39 million from completion but that by fiscal 2025 the Corps had spent an additional $237 million and could not yet award a contract to finish the work.
Lieutenant General Butch Graham said the Chickamauga case reflected failures to reach adequate engineering maturity before authorizing construction and noted the Corps is working with the contractor to “pull that contract across the finish line.” He called greater time spent in feasibility and design — “go slow to go fast” — the remedy to avoid repeating such outcomes.
Why it matters: Members said taxpayers and local sponsors ultimately carry the cost of additional appropriations when projects are re‑designed in the middle of construction. Graham pledged to sign chief’s reports only when engineering is sufficiently mature to support the cost estimate.
Discussion but no formal action: The committee did not vote on the project. Members asked the Corps for metrics and timelines showing how the agency will prevent similar overruns in future projects and for a status update on the contractor relationship and remaining work at Chickamauga.